PITTSBURGH, PA – A former Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

David Payo, age 52, formely of Mount Oliver, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Mark Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 27, 2017, Payo entered the PNC Bank in Homestead wearing a black baseball hat, black hoodie, and approached the teller. Payo stated, "This is a robbery, give me 50’s, 100’s, 20’s, and no dye packs." Payo escaped with $3,460 in cash out of the front door of the bank.

The court was also advised that on June 8, 2017, Payo, wearing an orange sweatshirt, black baseball cap and black sunglasses on top of the hat, approached a teller at the Citizens Bank in Monroeville, PA. He sat down at the desk and told her, "This is a robbery." He then repeated, "This is a robbery, give me your 100’s, 50’s, and 20’s, no 10’s, and no dye packs." The teller complied and handed over $1890.00 in cash and one dye pack. Payo fled from the bank. A search of Payo’s residence recovered dye stained clothes from the exploding dye pack given to him at the Citizens Bank.

Payo faces a total maximum sentence of not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of not more than $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The FBI Pittsburgh’s Violent Crimes Task Force, the Homestead Police Department, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Monroeville Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the guilty plea in this case.